You’re looking for an accountant. Or maybe you're looking for a consultant who actually understands why your private equity deal is falling apart. Most people start by Googling the Big Four, thinking that a massive brand name is the only way to get legitimate tax or audit help. But that’s usually a mistake. If you’re a mid-market company or a high-net-worth individual, you've probably heard the name Hancock Askew & Co. whispered in rooms where the big decisions get made.
They aren't a household name for the average person on the street. They don't have a Super Bowl ad.
But in the Southeast—especially in Savannah, Atlanta, Augusta, and even down in Miami—they are a powerhouse. Founded way back in 1910, Hancock Askew & Co. has survived the Great Depression, two World Wars, and the digital revolution. That’s a lot of tax seasons. They've built a reputation on being the firm that does the "big firm" work without the "big firm" bureaucracy that makes you want to pull your hair out.
The Reality of Hancock Askew & Co. Beyond the Audit
Most people assume a CPA firm is just a bunch of people in gray suits staring at spreadsheets until their eyes bleed. Honestly? That's not the vibe here. Hancock Askew & Co. has pivoted hard into specialized services that most local firms can't touch. We're talking about complex things like SOC reporting, transaction advisory, and even deep-dive forensic accounting.
Take their transaction advisory services. When a business is getting ready to sell, things get messy. Fast. You have founders who have spent thirty years building a legacy, and then you have private equity groups who only care about the EBITDA. Hancock Askew & Co. acts as the bridge. They do the quality of earnings (QofE) reports that actually hold water during due diligence. It’s gritty, technical work. It requires an eye for the "ghost assets" and the liabilities that owners try to sweep under the rug.
Why the Savannah Roots Still Matter
Even though they have offices across Georgia and Florida, Savannah is their soul. It’s where Stephen Hancock and John Askew started the whole thing. In a city built on old money and shipping lanes, you can’t survive for a century if you aren't trustworthy. Word travels. If you mess up a client's estate plan in a town like Savannah, your firm is done.
The firm has stayed independent, which is a big deal in an era where every mid-sized CPA firm is being gobbled up by private equity firms. You see it every week in the Accounting Today headlines. A firm gets bought, the culture changes, and suddenly your partner-level contact is replaced by a junior associate in a different time zone. Hancock Askew & Co. has resisted that. They are still partner-led. You can actually call a partner and get them on the phone. Imagine that.
Navigating the Maze of Risk Management
Business today is basically just one giant risk. Cybersecurity is a nightmare. Regulatory compliance is a moving target. This is where the firm’s Risk Assurance practice comes into play. If you're a SaaS company, you need a SOC 2 report. Without it, you can’t sell to big enterprise clients. Period.
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Hancock Askew & Co. has carved out a niche here. They don't just "check the box." They look at the internal controls of a company and tell the truth about where the holes are. It's not about being the "police." It’s about making sure that when a hacker tries to find a back door into your system, they find a brick wall instead. They also handle internal audits for public companies, which is a high-stakes game. One mistake there and you’re looking at SEC inquiries.
- Tax Credits: They are aggressive (in a legal way) about R&D tax credits.
- Estate Planning: It’s not just about a will; it’s about generational wealth transfer.
- Cost Segregation: They help real estate developers find tax savings in the literal walls of their buildings.
- Employee Benefit Plan Audits: Because the DOL is no joke.
The Human Element in a World of AI
Everyone is talking about how AI is going to replace accountants. It’s a common fear. But if you've ever tried to ask a chatbot to navigate a complex multi-state tax nexus issue involving international subsidiaries, you know we're not there yet. Hancock Askew & Co. uses technology—they aren't stuck in 1910—but they lead with people.
The firm is currently led by Managing Partner Michael T. McCarthy. Under his watch, they've expanded significantly while trying to keep that "small firm feel." It's a tough balance. You want the resources of a global entity (which they have through their membership in BKR International), but you want the relationship of a local advisor.
What Most People Get Wrong About Mid-Tier Firms
There’s a misconception that if you aren't using a "Big Four" firm, you're somehow getting "lesser" advice. That’s just marketing. In reality, firms like Hancock Askew & Co. often have the same talent. Many of their partners started at those giant global firms and left because they wanted to actually work with clients instead of just managing spreadsheets.
When you’re at a mid-tier firm, you aren't "Client #4,502." You’re a person. Your business actually moves the needle for them. This creates a different kind of urgency. If your deal is closing on a Sunday night, you want an advisor who is going to be there, not someone who has to clear five levels of conflict-of-interest checks in a London office before they can send an email.
Forensic Accounting and the Dark Side of Business
Sometimes, business gets ugly. Embezzlement happens. Partners sue each other. Marriages end and assets need to be split. This is the "CSI" side of Hancock Askew & Co. Their forensic accounting team goes in when things have gone wrong.
They look for the patterns. They find the money that was "lost" in shell companies or buried in personal expenses. It’s tedious work that requires a specific kind of brain. You have to be part detective and part mathematician. They provide expert witness testimony in court, which means they have to be able to explain complex financial fraud to a jury of twelve people who might not even balance their own checkbooks. That’s a skill.
Key Industries They Actually Know
They don't try to be everything to everyone. You won't see them trying to be the world's leading expert in every single niche. But they have deep roots in:
- Construction and Real Estate: They understand the nuances of revenue recognition for long-term contracts.
- Manufacturing and Distribution: Dealing with inventory valuation and global supply chain tax implications.
- Healthcare: Navigating the nightmare that is medical billing audits and practice management.
- Non-Profits: Because keeping your 501(c)(3) status is harder than it looks.
- Professional Services: Helping lawyers and engineers manage their own practices.
How to Work With a Firm Like This
If you're thinking about reaching out to Hancock Askew & Co., don't just ask for a quote on a tax return. That’s a waste of their time and yours. Instead, go to them with a problem. Tell them about the expansion you're planning or the weird "red flag" you saw in your last quarterly report.
They are consultants first. The tax return or the audit report is just the final product of a much larger conversation about your financial health.
Actionable Steps for Business Owners
If you're evaluating your current accounting situation, here is what you should do right now:
- Audit Your Current Advisor: Are they proactive? If you only hear from your CPA in April, you have a problem. A firm like Hancock Askew & Co. stays in touch year-round.
- Check Your Risk: If you haven't had a proper risk assessment in the last two years, you're vulnerable. Ask about a SOC report or a basic internal control review.
- Look at Your Credits: Many companies leave hundreds of thousands of dollars on the table because they don't think they "qualify" for R&D credits. They probably do.
- Plan the Exit: Even if you aren't selling for ten years, start the valuation process now. Know what your company is actually worth so you can grow it intentionally.
Hancock Askew & Co. represents a specific breed of American business: the legacy firm that refused to die or sell out. They've stayed relevant by being smarter and more agile than the giants, and more sophisticated than the local solo practitioners. Whether you need a simple tax strategy or a complex forensic investigation, they are the proof that sometimes, the best experts are the ones who have been quietly doing the work for over a century.
Next Steps for Your Business
- Request a Peer Review of Your Taxes: Have a firm like Hancock Askew look at your last three years of filings. You might be surprised at the missed deductions or credits.
- Evaluate Your Succession Plan: If you own a business, you need a clear path for what happens when you leave. Schedule a consultation to discuss the tax and structural implications of a transition.
- Secure Your Data: Contact their Risk Assurance team to perform a "gap analysis" on your current cybersecurity and data handling protocols. It’s cheaper than a data breach.